walter tull memorial

Blue plaque unveiled for war hero and footballer Walter Tull
Blue plaque unveiled for war hero and footballer Walter Tull
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Crowds gathered in a small garden near White Hart Lane for the unveiling of a blue plaque celebrating the life of Walter Tull.

The sign marks the house where Mr Tull, England's first black premier league football player and one of the British army’s first black officers, lived for a year.
War veterans Garry Stewart, Donald Campbell and Tony Wentley-Martin each spoke about the heroics of Walter Tull as an army officer during the First World War.

Neil Fanigan, an RAF veteran, said: “Representing his country as an officer in the British army, that was something, even when you don’t consider all the prejudice and racism that was around then.

“He suffered, he had to come back to recover in Tottenham, but he was strong enough and determined enough to go back again, even though it was a vision of Hell there.”

Classford Sterling, a talent scout for Tottenham Hotspur, said: “I’m disappointed and not happy at all with the level of effort Spurs have made with Walter Tull. I think they could have done more to honour his memory.

“That said, they were the first team to have a black football player and that must’ve been a tremendous strain on the club’s chairman.

..“You’re going to get a lot of abuse as a black player. But you want to show them with boots, let the boots do the talking. Bang in three or four goals, and the talking stops.”

A passerby, known only as Mark, said: “It’s the first time I’ve heard of Walter Tull, but I’d like to pay my respects, even though I’m an Arsenal supporter.

“It’s a shame Spurs didn’t do more to help today, but that’s just the way a lot of big clubs are now.”

The unveiling ceremony was organised by the Nubian Jack Community Trust in partnership with the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Professional Footballers’ Association.

as said in the article shame spurs couldnt have been more involved

 

Were Spurs even asked to be involved? Doubt it.

 

Poor by the club if they were asked to be involved.
One of the most interesting players in our early history.

 

I would be very surprised if they were not at least asked to be involved as it was a local event for an ex player that has some historical interest on so many levels

 

I'd find it a little strange if the club did fail to do what it should have done. My experience is that they treat people well. Things like the people on the ticket phone being very friendly, helpful and gracious, and the message to Defoe in Toronto come to mind.

 

I was given to understand that the unveiling of this plaque was conducted by Garth Crooks on behalf of the club.